In the lecture, we learned about visual perception. We can have a better understanding on how the visual perception works by Gestalt Principles. Gestalt Principles are the rules that explain how we perceive objects as unified form within overall context. Main principles of Gestalt theory are proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, symmetry, and figure-ground.
Now we know what Gestalt theory is. Let's apply the theory to the work of art that triggers illusion.
These two prints are done by William Gillbert. Look at these two arts. What do you see at the moment you look at these? Most of you might say that when you guys view the artworks, you see the skulls. You are right. These two pictures create the illusions of skulls. In order to create or heighten such illusions, the author of these artworks used one of the principles of the Gestalt theory. Among many, the author, William Gillbert used figure-ground principle which means he used the fact that we tend to focus on what we believe is the central figure that we ignore the background. Therefore, when we view these artworks, we give attention to the central figure which is skull that we ignore the background of the paints, hardly noticing people in the background.
These images instantly caught my attention when I was scrolling down the page; they scared me! The contrast between the darkness of the skulls and the lightness of the Victorian figures is intriguing in itself. It's also very interesting that the more frighting images are what we tend to process as the central point.
I'm very fascinated by these images and the ways that our brain perceives these images. Why is it in our human tendency to focus on the foreground images or the skulls and frightening faces? What part of our brain is functioning and how is it coming to these conclusions of the skulls?
These paintings are great example of the Gestalt principles. I've haven't seen many real world examples of the these principles. At first I only saw the skull and the bearded face and barely caught any of the details surrouding the central image. I think it's amazing to see these illusions. An example of the Gestalt Principle Continuity that I found interesting was this picture: http://cdn.instantshift.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/tcrbgpad-05.jpg
These paintings are great example of the Gestalt principles. I've haven't seen many real world examples of the these principles. At first I only saw the skull and the bearded face and barely caught any of the details surrouding the central image. I think it's amazing to see these illusions. An example of the Gestalt Principle Continuity that I found interesting was this picture: http://cdn.instantshift.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/tcrbgpad-05.jpg